What is n. axillaris?

N. axillaris (also known as the sourwood tree or sorrel tree) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree belonging to the Ericaceae family. It is native to eastern North America and can be found from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.

The tree has an attractive appearance with a dense, conical or oval-shaped crown, reaching a height of up to 25 meters (80 feet) tall. The bark is gray-brown to black and is deeply furrowed with age.

The leaves are alternate, simple, and elliptical to oblong in shape, about 5-15 cm long, and have a glossy green upper surface and a lighter green underside. In autumn, they turn a beautiful red, orange, or yellow color.

The tree produces small, white, bell-shaped flowers in late spring or early summer, which are fragrant and attract bees and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by small, brown capsules that release tiny, winged seeds.

N. axillaris prefers acidic soils and is commonly found on rocky mountainsides and ridges, in forests, and along stream banks. It is also a valuable source of food for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and birds. The tree is also valued for its honey, which has a distinctive flavor due to the nectar from the sourwood flowers.